My family has been with McDonough ATA for several years now and we love it! The staff here is very friendly and Ms. Johnson especially is very helpful and goes out of her way to answer questions and give help wherever and whenever needed.

Carey Klement Daughtry
reviewed McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy —

5

via Facebook

If you want your child to defend themselves against all the challenges that life will bring them as they grow and develop, you need to enroll in this school. I am especially impressed with their "Leadership Program". This school doesn't just teach students to "pass" which is what it seems our youth only cares about... this school raises the bar and tells it's students to go beyond "passing" and EXCEL.

Becca Nell
reviewed McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy —

5

via Facebook

The staff is highly qualified and makes a point to get to know every student individually. They are genuinely concerned that each student is achieving their maximum potential. They are very organized and the studio is kept clean. They also offer numerous other activities that are fun and even offer parent's night out.

Ashley Westphall-Carr
reviewed McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy —

5

via Facebook

My kids have gained so much from going there. They are more respectful and have gained so much self-confidence. I would recommend ATA of McDonough to anyone wanting to take martial arts. My daughter just had her birthday party there in the staff was wonderful. They made her feel so special. Thanks ATA!!!

Stacey Coada
reviewed McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy —

5

via Facebook

This place is a great place for kids of all ages and adults. Very family oriented even if you are just a parent not taking classes you are invited to watch and kept informed of all things going on. Very patient staff and teachers are phenomenal with the fact that all kids/people learn differently and they teach individually while still keeping the group learning as a whole. Walked into the building on a whim and ended up letting my daughter take classes for 4 years and becoming a 2nd degree black belt. She was strong willed stubborn and kinda hard to teach however all the teachers and staff were patient and kept calm helping her to learn respect and to follow rules and also respect to others who may not learn as quick as her so in the end she became a leader willing to help other struggling students. Highly recommend anyone thinking about taking classes to check this place out.

Nims Harris
reviewed McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy —

5

via Facebook

We've been with McDonough ATA for a year now and the growth and positive changes we've seen are incredible. Our family have noticed the changes and have copied what we are doing in one way or another. Staff is great, friendly, and their families are a part of the Black Belt journey as well. Talk about putting your mouth where your money is. Gold Star

Callie Hamric
reviewed McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy —

5

via Facebook

We absolutely adore this studio. My daughter is 4 and she loves her karate instructors and everything she learns! Today they learned about what to do if someone tries to kidnap them and I think it is absolutely wonderful that they teach this! The people are wonderful! I also am so happy that they are so accepting of all cultures. My daughter has two moms and they are more than welcoming of it!

Allison Knight Fedorowicz
reviewed McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy —

5

via Facebook

My kids love ATA! My 7 year old is in the after-school program and begs to attend every camp and parents night out. A four-year-old has already told me he wants to join the after-school program next year when he starts kindergarten. They have both learned so much: martial arts, anti-bullying, self-defense, respect, discipline, and more. I love seeing the look of accomplishment on their faces every time they advance to the next belt. They love their instructors and the friends they have met along the way. What a great experience!

Krista Panick Crews
reviewed McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy —

5

via Facebook

My son and I have been attending this school for about three years now. Great people, great curriculum, ATA rocks

Shelia Evans Gatlin
reviewed McDonough ATA Black Belt Academy —

5

via Facebook

My son is 7 years old and last month marked one year he has been enrolled in classes. McDonough ATA is about so much more than learning cool karate moves. For example, the oath they begin and end class with..."I promise to be a good person, to have knowledge in my mind, honesty in my heart, strength in my body, and make good friends." McDonough ATA and the wonderful instructors reinforce everything (and more) that we are teaching our son at home. Core values...honesty, loyalty, manners, tolerance, commitment, perseverance, discipline, self-confidence, encouragement, empathy, citizenship...I could go on! Not to mention the friendships and bonds he has formed with his classmates...priceless. ATA McDonough excels in molding and creating good people to be our country's future leaders.

Blog

Martial Arts Kicks Child Obesity

Martial arts for children is a wonderful solution to obesity. Every child participates mentally, physically, and emotionally and your child is on the team to become Black Belts in Life. Learning is team work and no one is left behind. It’s not uncommon for most kids to forget that they are exercising or working out as they enjoy the benefits of confidence, accomplishments, personal victory, self esteem, discipline, and empowerment.
Imagine your child’s escape from reality being reality not a video game, tv, or any other electronic device. All the training methods have more goals in mind than just to move. Martial arts for children is a whole being work out not just a body work out. Children in martial arts learn to level up their abilities just as they would level up in a video game. Why play the game when they can live the adventure.
Many times children dealing with the threat of obesity are reluctant to exercise as they don’t have much ability to cope with being outside their comfort zone. The anxiety of the unknown overwhelms even the idea of doing what is good for them. In martial arts, the goals, expectations, and structure of martial arts are clearly defined. Children enter martial arts knowing the goals ahead of time. Each belt in the system is a measurement in their personal improvement in their mind, heart, and body from where they start. Personal victory is a pillar of martial arts, children learn the concept of comparing their future abilities to their initial abilities. The confidence these children build starts with self awarness, then grows to personal victories that level up to overall self confidence. (For an amazing school in the McDonough, GA area, please feel free to check out: https://www.ata-bba.net/program/kids-martial-arts/)

A child’s initial level in kicking may start at one, but Martial Arts has goals and activities that are geared toward improving their mindset and addressing their ways of dealing with struggles, setbacks, comfort zones, challenges and successes. Students may work on goals such as strength, flexibility, speed, but other goals such as communication, leadership, focus, and respect are also apart of the performance. Every student has areas by which to excel. This training breeds confidence, the same confidence that leads to stronger self esteem and the pride children take in who they are. With Martial Arts training, children start to become stronger both mentally and physically. Parents rave about how their child starts to initiate good decisions for themselves and transform into independant strong young men and women.